almsgiving

American  

[ahlmz-giv-ing, ahmz-] / ˈɑlmzˌgɪv ɪŋ, ˈɑmz- /

noun

1. the act of donating money, food, or other items to people in need of them, especially as a spiritual practice.

   Almsgiving helps us experience giving freely, which leads to freedom from the obsession with possessing, freedom from the fear of losing what we have.

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Etymology

Origin of almsgiving

alms + giving

Example Sentences

It concludes a 40-day period known as Lent, during which Christians focus on prayer, almsgiving, and practice traditions such as abstinence from eating meat on certain days.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

We’re also supposed to practice almsgiving and assist those less fortunate than ourselves as a way of honoring Christ, who pointed out that giving so it costs you is the only way to give.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving, and pilgrimage.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

While in Mecca he spent lavishly, contributing some 100,000 gold pieces to charity and related almsgiving programs.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

The Archbishop dealt with the observances of the frater from the point of view of the communal life, from that of the food eaten by the nuns and from that of almsgiving.

From Medieval English Nunneries c. 1275 to 1535 by Power, Eileen